INLAND VALLEY NEWS, Ontario, California, Monday, 14
February 2005.

Couple rescued from flood gets children back

San Dimas Canyon family is finally
reunited

By CHRISTINA CHANES NYSTROM
CORRESPONDENT

MONTEREY PARK - A San Dimas Canyon woman, who was
dramatically rescued during last month's storms, was
reunited with her two children Monday after a judge
determined that there was not enough evidence to keep
the children in protective custody.

"This is not a criminal court," Soto said. "This
court is about issues related to substantial risks to a
child and make no mistake, our goal is to reunite
families."

Soto said family services relied on reports,
including allegations that Jeffrey Henderson had
committed assault against neighbors, predating the Jan.
10 rescue, that were lacking in evidence.

"You have here issues detailed in reports but no
arrests. The reports are not backed up by any
evidence," Soto said. "I am fully aware of the hearsay
that can go into these reports and although there are
reports, the social workers report attached to the
police report was incomplete."

During the rescue, fire officials complained about
Jeffrey Henderson's behavior and asked the District
Attorney's Office to file criminal charges against
him. The district attorney, however, declined that
request.

The two children, 9-month old son William and
19-month-old daughter Abigail, have been kept together
with regular visitation from their parents.

"I just want my babies back by my side and in our
home," Erica Henderson said.

The Hendersons, however, will be under close
scrutiny from the county. The couple had Erica's
8-year-old son, from a previous relationship, taken out
of their care after Jeffrey was accused of striking the
boy with a belt in 1998. The couple had another child
die of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in 2002.

County attorneys have also
accused Jeffrey Henderson of performing a circumcision
on William. Henderson says he is Hebrew and performed
the circumcision out of religious duty.

Soto said there is no law
prohibiting that practice.

"I do not want in anyway to
imply that it is OK to do that or that people should go
out and circumcise their children themselves," Soto
said, "but it is only illegal if one mutilates a female
-- there is nothing in the penal code about a male
child."

The Hendersons agreed to several conditions
including: random drugs tests and unannounced social
worker visits between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Soto also ordered the Hendersons to undergo counseling
that included addressing anger issues.

Jeffery Henderson's attorney Nathan Hoffman said the
case was a weak one because there was nothing in the
documentation that proved the accusations.

The Hendersons, with their ordeal firmly behind
them, were smiling from ear to ear after the ruling.
"My wife and I are extremely happy," Jeffrey Henderson
said. "I just feel bad for all those parents here today
that did not get their kids back. The government has no
business raising our children, just take one look at
the public school system -- it's an excellent example
that clearly shows they have repeatedly failed to teach
our children anything."